Padres News: Manny Machado Returns to Lineup Ahead of Divisional Battle Against Former Team

He's back!

Slated to face his old team, one Padres star has decided to make his way back to the San Diego lineup ahead of a divisional clash to start this week. 

Facing the Dodgers on the road, Manny Machado will join the team visiting Chavez Ravine where many fans will surely wish him well with boos galore. 

#Padres (67-77)
at #Dodgers RHP Gavin Stone pic.twitter.com/ZuvqTaz1Cu

— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) September 11, 2023

Playing the NL West leaders with just weeks left in the season, the Padres are hoping to be spoilers for their heated rivals to the north of the 5 freeway. 

San Diego's season hasn't lived up to their expectations in the lead up to 2023 as the team now sits fourth in the NL West and far out of a Wild Card spot, 10 games under .500. 

Nevertheless, the team still has three weeks to play for in the season and Machado will hope to get revenge on his former employer as he's done so in the past. 

In 76 games since signing with the Friars in 2019, Machado has hit .253 with an OPS of .745 and fourteen home runs, including multiple from the 2020 and 2022 postseasons against LA.

Traded from Baltimore in their World Series pursuit, Machado's time with the Dodgers was defined by a lack of hustle, poor attitude and some possibly dirty play in the postseason against the Brewers en route to the NL pennant. 

With Corey Seager healthy for 2019, the Dodgers didn't retain Machado and allowed him to hit free agency to eventually sign with the Padres. 

Though the team won it all in 2020 at Machado's expense, the third baseman is surely sleeping just fine at night with a new extension signed this offseason and his future with the Padres secured. 

Returning even though he's currently ailing, the Padres welcome back one of their best bats, hopefully for the remainder of the 2023 year.